title: Issues in the disposal of waste containing naturally occurring radioactive material.
abstract: This article considers a number of key issues in the disposal of waste containing enhanced levels of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), including gaseous, liquid and solid media. A brief review is made of sources of natural radioactivity in the biosphere and of anthropogenic enhancement of the concentration of NORM in the various media. The factors controlling the mobility of radionuclide activity in the environment are examined and disposal options are considered, comparison also being made with disposal of nuclear fuel cycle materials, in particular the tailings of uranium mining. Current and proposed disposal practices and policies for NORM are cited, reference being made to experiences in a number of countries.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Chemistry Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Bidhannagar, Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining / Q000592:standards; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013910:Thorium; D014501:Uranium; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D011850:Radioactive Waste; D011868:Radioisotopes; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium